The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) has awarded the Rail Industry Worker (RIW) Program contract to Metro Trains Australia, trading as More Than Assurance (MTA), after an extensive tendering process.

The five-year contract, with two, two-year extension options, will lock in cost certainty for the rail industry while delivering a range of enhancements to improve outcomes for program users.

The RIW Program is designed to enhance safety, compliance and workforce management across the rail industry, currently servicing 95,000 participants from more than 13,000 organisations.

The ARA owns and oversees the contract management of the program on behalf of the rail industry.  

ARA Chief Executive Caroline Wilkie said the contract award had secured cost certainty for industry as well as ensuring ongoing improvements to the RIW program.

“This new contract will see annual card renewal and new member fees remain at current levels for another five years, providing cost certainty for industry while also delivering better outcomes,” Ms Wilkie said.

“MTA will deliver a wide range of value-adds and improved functionalities as a result of the tender process, improving upon this essential resource for rail industry workers.”

“We are pleased to confirm these new arrangements and look forward to working with MTA as new enhancements are rolled out across the RIW program.”

The new contract arrangements will commence on 1 July 2026 and will lock in current card renewal fees and new member fees until 30 June 2031.

Functionality enhancements to be delivered include:

• Real-time fatigue management reporting, which will automate the monitoring of working hours through biomathematical reporting capability, to help reduce administration requirements and human error, and streamline fatigue management reporting for network operators and contractors in charge
• The implementation of secure, app-based sign on access control, complimenting existing physical hardware on site, reducing associated up front and ongoing costs. Improved Power BI dashboards and dynamic reporting will also be introduced to enhance visibility and real-time decision making for user organisations
• Free upload of compliant e-learning resources to help user organisations make the most of the program’s e-learning functionalities
• The implementation of enhanced feedback ability, guided workflows and system insights to better inform and prioritise new developments to meet industry needs

These updates will be supported by an enhanced Change Advisory process, overseen by a Change Advisory Board to ensure the new functionalities are fit for purpose and cost effective as industry requirements evolve over time.

The appointment of MTA follows an extensive tender process overseen by the ARA Board.

ENDS